PM issues stern warning
against corruption

Says graft-free admin a must for achieving 10pc growth

Special Correspondent
17th January, 2019 10:15:13

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday directed government officials to take steps for fighting corruption with the aim of achieving 10 percent growth.

“If corruption takes place, action should be taken immediately,” she said at a meeting with officials of the Public Administration Ministry.

The premier said her government has increased wages, allowances and other benefits for officials so that they are not engaged in corruption.

The government wants to turn the country into a developed one by 2041. The target of 10 percent growth can be achieved, she added.

“A good governance and corruption-free administration are essential for fulfilling the target.”

“Why corruption will take place despite massive salary hike and enhancment of other benefits? You must change your mindset and send specific directives to the field-level administration against the acts of corruption. If anyone involves in corruption, measures should be taken against him/her immediately,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also in charge of the public administration ministry, said the salient feature of the country’s development is the current low inflation rate despite the rapid economic growth.

“Many countries can’t control the inflation during their speedy economic growth.”

Noting that Bangladesh has been able to keep the inflation rate within 5.4 percent to 5.5 percent, Hasina said the common people can directly enjoy the benefits of the high growth and low inflation.

The prime minister said Bangladesh achieved 7.86 percent GDP growth in the 2017-18 fiscal year, which was higher than the 7.40 percent target. Now, her government’s target is to raise the growth to double-digit one within the next five years.

“Since we’ve been elected for five years, our target will be to raise the growth to 10 percent in these five years. And it’s possible to achieve that,” she added.

About corruption, Haisna said, “We also announced zero tolerance against corruption as we did so against terrorism, militancy and drug.”

Mentioning that the government has been able to control militancy and is now conducting drives against drug, she said the drive against corruption will also continue.

Since BNP-Jamaat unleashed arson violence in the name of resisting the 2014 national election, the people rejected them completely, which has been reflected in the December-30 election too, the premier said.

She said her government is trying to continue its efforts developing the country. “So, you’ve greater responsibilities to accomplish all this,” the PM said, pointing at the ministry officials.

Terming the public administration the heart of the government, she urged the officials to work sincerely and competently.

“We’ve made huge progress. We’ll have to continue this journey of progress.”

Hasina said she changed the name of the Public Administration Ministry from the previous name of Establishment Ministry to remind the officials of their responsibilities to serve people.

Reiterating that the country has now turned into Digital Bangladesh, she stressed the use of modern technology and digital system to ensure accountability and transparency in the administration.

About training of civil servants, Sheikh Hasina said there is no alternative to training to develop an efficient administration.

The Prime Minister said the annual performance agreement and integrity strategy introduced by her government so that the officials concerned can learn about their responsibilities in advance.

Referring to the Public Services Act, she said, it was passed in Parliament to make civil servants more confident.

Hasina vowed to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence in 2021 as a poverty- and hunger-free country as well as establish a developed and prosperous country by the year 2041.

Mentioning that the size of the national budget was increased to more than Tk four lakh crore from only Tk 61,000 crore in 2005-06 fiscal year, she put emphasis on the proper use of this huge amount of money for the country’s further advancement.

The Public Administration Ministry is the first among the ministries where the prime minister visited after forming the government for a third consecutive term following her party’s landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election.

Sheikh Hasina said she also visited the ministries during her previous term to gear up their activities for taking government services to the doorsteps of people.

State Minister for Public Administration Ministry Farhad Hossain and Public Administration Secretary Faiz Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.